Counter



May 5, 1936. SPAUNBURG 2,040,031

COUNTER Filed March 21, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 r o o g "05 1o DAY- 6 May 5, 1936. H. L. SPAUNBURG COUNTER Filed March 21, 1934 z'sheetssneet 2 rililg: :IIIIA Patented May 5, 1936 PATENT OFFICE ooun'raa Harvey L- Sp um, o Conn assignor to Veeder-Root Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut Application March 21, 1934, Serial No. 716,695

32 Claims.

My invention relates to counters.

It has for its object to provide an improved counter and, more particularly, an improved pick counter of the reset type adapted to be locked during operation and unlocked to permit resetting. A further object of my invention is to provide improved controlling mechanism for preventing tampering with the resetting mechanism of such a counter to vary the count while the counter is unlocked or locked, and such mechanism having improved means operative whenever the unlocked counter is in partially reset position for indicating that position of the same. Further objects of my invention include the provision of improved means for preventing the removal of the key after the resetting members have been moved toward reset position and until these members have been moved through a complete revolution, as for example, to return the number wheels to zero, together with improved means for preventing reverse operation of the resetting mechanism and improved means for preventing varying the count by a fraudulent advancing movement of the reset member. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved counter mechanism, especially adapted to use as a pick counter for looms or the like, including a plurality of counter units and reset locking means common to each of the units, permitting any selected unit to be reset to zero without resetting any other unit, while preventing locking of the counter mechanism if rcsetting of any unit has been initiated, until the resetting movement of that unit has been completed. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a counter constructed in accordance with my improvement, a key being shown in full and dotted lines in locking and unlocking positions, respectively;

Figure 2 is a similar view but with a portion of the casing broken away to show the controlling mechanism, the key and its cooperating controlling mechanism being shown in unlocked position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with the key and its cooperating controlling mechanism in locked position which is also the position of the parts permitting the removal of the key;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial section on line 5.-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on line 6-8 of Figure 3, showing the unit in locked position;

Figure '7 is a sectional view on line l-'l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of 'the looking mechanism similar to Figure 4 but with the parts in the position occupied after resetting and prior to locking;

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the lock mechanism and cam;

Figure 11 is a detail end view of one of the locking members cooperating with the locking bar;

Figure 12 is a detail view of one of the ratchet members;

Figure 13 is a detail view showing a modified construction of holding pawl, and

- Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view on line l4l4 of Figure 3, showing the relation of the parts in the locked position of the counter units.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown my invention applied to a pick counter of a generally well known type, including a casing comprising a body I and removable cover 2, and having a plurality of counters therein, generally indicated at 3 and 4. These counters are mounted on parallel shafts journaled in the casing and. are adapted to be driven selectively from a usual counter drive member5 by usual clutch mechanism (not shown) such, for example as the general type illustrated in the Veeder Patent No. 1,521,137, depending upon the position of connection of a usual manually adjustable control member 6, one counter, herein 3, being connected for use on the day shift, and the other, 4, for use on the night shift. Each counter 3, 4 is herein as usual also provided with reset mechanism including a reset operating member I and also, as hereinafter described is adapted to be locked during operation by improved locking mechanism including a lock 8 and a key 9, while also having improved controlling mechanism, hereinafter described, associated with the reset operating members l and the lock mechanism 8, 9.

Referring more particularly to the counters 3 and 4, it will be noted that each of these includes a plurality of operatively connected coaxial counter wheels, and that the same are identical, so that a description of one will suffice for both. More particularly, it will be noted that, using the counter 3 as an illustration, the same comprises three number units III, II, and I2, each comprising usual number wheels operatively connected through usual carrying or transfer mechanism of the locking type and adapted to register the rotation of the driving member 5 in terms of multiples of picks woven, with each unit on the wheel l2 representing a predetermined number of picks, as for example, one thousand picks, each unit on the wheel I I representing ten thousand picks, and each unit on the wheel Ill representing one hundred thousand picks.

Considering more particularly the construction of one of the counter units in, II, and I2, it will also be understood that each of these counter units being of identical construction, a description of one will sumce for all, so that reference to only one counter unit l2 appears necessary; Here, it will be noted that this unit; as shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive, includes, in addition to the usual number wheel, indicated at I2, a sleeve I! on which this wheel is fixed and which also has fixed thereto a locking disc II and a mutilated transfer gear It, the latter being on the opposite side 01' the locking disc ll from the number wheel l2. Also, as usual in such units, a reset pawl IS in the disc I4 is normally pressed by a spring I! downward through an aperture 19 in the sleeve it ready to engage with a slot ill in the counter carrying and reset operating shaft 20. Further, it will be noted that a gear 2| is rotatably mounted on the opposite end of the sleeve I3 and, through a pair of spring pressed pawls 22, is adapted to cooperate in the usual way with a. ratchet member 23 which is disposed within a usual chamber in the face of the number wheel I2 adjacent the gear 2|. Thus, it will be evident that with the several units l0, II, and I2, connected by usual transfer pinions 24, the counter will count progressively in the usual manner. For example, it will indicate 333,000 picks when showing 333 on the number wheels, as illustrated in Figure 2. Further, it is adapted to be reset upon rotation of the wing nut 1, which is herein suitably connected as by pin 25 for rotation with the shaft 20, the several pawls It being picked up and returning the several number wheels III, ll, 12 to the zero positions illustrated in Figures 1 or 3, all in a well known manner.

In my improved construction, it will be noted (Fig. 5) that each shaft 20 also has a locking member 26 suitably fixed thereto between its reset operating member I and the counter unit lil. This locking member 26 herein is also disposed between a spacing sleeve 21 and onewall of the casing I and has an enlargement on its end adjacent the unit l0 which is suitably fixed to the shaft 20, as by a pin 29. Here, it wiilalso be noted that this locking member is provided with a reduced locking portion 29 extending toward the reset member I from its enlarged end and that this locking portion is provided with a. flat portion 30, which herein is disposed vertically in the locked position of the parts (Figure 4) and has the reset pawl slot l9 at an angle of approximately 12 thereto, as illustrated in that figure,

'5for purposes hereinafter described. This locking portion 29 and flat portion 30 on each shaft also extend through a suitably cooperating aperture 3| near one end of a locking bar 32 which is bodily movable, or reciprocable, in the direction of its length between opposite longitudinally spaced limits hereinafter described. As shown, this bar 92 extends transversely of the two shafts 29 and is supported on the two members 29 and reversely laterally reciprocable relative thereto while also being apertured between its ends to permit this movement relative to one of the drive shafts which extends therethrough between the More particularly, it will be noted that each end aperture 2| comprises a rounded half 92, remote from the lock 9 and conforming generally to the rounded locking portion 29 on the member 28 but struck on a largerradius than the latter, and also an opposite half with a flat vertical surface 24 longer than the flat portion 29 and having squared corners. Herein, the aperturesll aresodisposedthattheportionll of each aperture Ii is adapted to engage with the flat portion 39 on each locking portion 29 and thereby prevent rotation of the shaft in the position of the locking bar 22, portion 39, and slot l9, shown in Figure 4, while in the position of the bar 22 shown in Figure 2 permitting the portions 29 to be freely rotatable with their reset operating members I to effect resetting.

The locking bar 22 is herein adapted to be locked and unlocked by the lock I and key I and through suitable control mechanism associated with the same. Herein, it will be noted that the lock 9, which is in the form of a usual Yale type barrel lock, is carried on a bracket 25 suitably positioned by screws 20 and a shim or shims in one corner of the frame adjacent one end of the bar 32 and that the barrel of the lock extends through a suitable key aperture in the removable casing cover 2. As is well known, the barrel 9 of such a lock can not be rotated except when the key is inserted therein; and further when the barrel has been released and turned by the key, the key cannot be removed until the barrel has been turned to its initial position. Herein, it will also be noted that the key 9 extends down through the barrel thereof and has its lower end extended through a suitable key passage 31 in the bottom of the barrel and into a communicating key passage 39 in a cam 39 suitably connected, as by a pin 40 on the barrel, to the lower end of the latter. Moreover, it will be noted that the cam 39 is provided with a cam surface ll and an abutment 42 adapted, respectively, to engage the edge and side of the adjacent end portion of the bar 32 to lock the latter in the locking position thereof shown in Figure 3, and thereby, through the engagement of both vertical portions 34 with the flat portions 30 on the locking members 29, lock both counters in such manner as to prevent resetting. Further, it will be evident that when the parts are in this position, the key 9 can be readily inserted and withdrawn and that from this position the key 9, look barrel 8, and cam 29 can be rotated to the left to the unlocked position of the parts shown in Figure 2, wherein the abutment portion 42 engages the casing wall. In this unlocked position of the parts, the lock bar 32 then being released, either counter may be reset at will upon rotation of its reset member I. Here, however, it will be noted that rotation of either locking member 26 acting to kick the locking bar 32 to the left (Figure 4) and into the path of the cam 39 as the latter moves toward the key withdrawing position shown in Figure 3, the key 9 cannot be withdrawn from the lock 9 until the lockingportion 26 has made a complete revolution, i. e. until the completion of resetting. It will also be noted that the removal of the cover 2 is prevented while the key is in the lock and following an incompleted resetting operation of either counter mechanism since, as shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 4, the cover has deep corner lugs 20 requiring the cover to be withdrawn in a vertical direction as viewed in Figure 4, while such withdrawal is prevented under these conditions by a shoulder 91: formed on the key which overlies a portion of the cover adJacent the lock barrel 9.

Cooperating with this improved mechanism is also improved mechanism for preventing reverse rotation of the resetting members I and the shafts 20. Each mechanism herein includes a ratchet member 43 which is preferably disposed on the locking portion 29 between spacing members 44 and 45 which at their adjacent ends engage opposite sides of the ratchet member 43 and at their remote ends engage, respectively, the inner end wall of the casing I and the adjacent side of the locking bar 32. Hereit will also be noted that each ratchet member 43 is provided with an aperture 49 therethrough corresponding to the portion 29 and adapted to receive the same and also having a flat portion 41 adapted to engage the flat portion 30 on the portion 29 and thus cause each member 43 to be rotated with its locking member 29. As shown, each ratchet member is also provided with any suitable number of teeth 48, herein four, and a pawl member, herein in the form of a flat spring 49 suitably attached to the inside face of the cover 2, and is adapted to cooperate with these teeth, the same being adapted to ride over the teeth and the untoothed main portion of the periphery of the ratchet member and to drop in back of each tooth as the member 43 is rotated past the spring 49 during resetting. Thus, it will be evident that when an operator starts to turn either reset member I and moves it even to the extent of one of these teeth, the spring pawl 49 will drop in back of the tooth in such manner as to prevent a reverse movement of the member I.

In Figure 13, I have also illustrated a modified construction which may be used if desired, and wherein, the pawl, instead of being in the form of a spring and carried on the cover 2,' is in the form of a spring connected pawl 50 pivoted at 5| on the end wall of the casing I. Here it will be evident that this mechanism will operate in essentially the same manner as the spring pawl 49 previously described.

In the use of my improved construction, it will be understood that the counter is supposed to be locked during weaving and atv the end of either the day or the night shift, 1. e. when the operator leaves the loom. Thus, the supervisor, after recording the number of picks to be credited to the operator, is able to unlock both counters by inserting the key 9 in the lock 8 and turning the key 9 from the full line position shown in Figure 1 to the dotted line position illustrated therein. This moves the cam 39 from the locking position shown in Figure 3 to the unlocked position shown in Figure 2 and thereby releases the looking bar 32 so that when either resetting member 1 is thereafter turned by the supervisor in the resetting direction indicated by arrows in Figures 2 and 3, one revolution of the same in that direction will completely reset the counter in question. When this counter is completely reset to zero, and only then, can the key 9 be turned again to the locked position shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4 and withdrawn. Thus it will be evident that while the weaver is prevented from fraudulent operation of the reset, the eflfects of carelessness on the part of the supervisor are also minimized by requiring a complete resetting of either counter and locking of both counters betore his key can be withdrawn.

Further, should an operator fraudulently obtain a key or for some reason be trusted with a key, and attempt to advance a legitimately registered count fraudulently, substantial difiiculties are encountered. Thus, if the operator, aiter unlocking the counter, moves the reset member toward reset position even to the extent of one tooth 49, it will be noted that the spring pawl 49 will prevent any backward movement of the reset member and thus induce the operator to complete the resetting operation after any such partial or manipulative movement in the direction of resetting, in order to avoid being detected by a supervisor with his counter unlocked. Further, it will be noted that the operator, after unlocking the lock 8 with his key 9 and so moving either member 1 forward, even to the extent of one tooth, cannot withdraw his key until he has completed the resetting operation, thus further inducing the operator to return the counter to reset or zero position in order to avoid the detection by a supervisor which would follow from leaving a key in the counter. Whemhowever, the operator does return the counter to zero position, he can withdraw the key, but as this return to zero automatically wipes out the registration of the picks which he had woven prior to his attempt to cheat, the average operator is so penalized that he does not make the same attempt again. The importance of having the key prevent removal of the cover when the counter mechanism is unlocked will be apparent when it is considered that an operative who has obtained a key and is attempting to cheat by manipulating the resetting mechanism to advance the count, finding he cannot lock the mechanism and withdraw the key with the count advanced, usually attempts to remove the cover, hoping to avoid detection by gaining access to the mechanism within. Here he finds he has only added to his difliculties since the key prevents removal of the cover. Thus he is caught cheating, or, at best, is obliged to wipe out his days work in order to cover up his tampering operations.

It will further be noted that my improved combination of lock and ratchet mechanism is effective in preventing fraudulent reverse operations of the reset operating member I at the beginning of the shift by an operator having a key and using it for fraudulent purposes. Thus, for example, an operator using the above described counter having my improved look but without the series of teeth 49 described herein, and finding the counter at zero when he comes to work, can advance the count fraudulently from zero before really beginning work. To do this, he would unlock the counter and reset the same to, say, 999. Then, leaving the key in the lock, he would weave 2000 picks, until the counter shows 1. Then he would turn the wing nut back until he picks up the 1, and then, reversing the wing nut, turn it forward until the counter registers 10. Then, he looks the counter and removes the key and really starts his days work with a credit for 10,000 picks when as a matter of fact he has only woven 2,000. In my improved construction, however, it will be noted that the operator would not be able to turn back the wing nut I to pick up the l and then turn it forward to the 10 as previously described, the four teeth 48 provided herein, instead being sufficient to make it impossible for an operator attempting this method of cheating, to be able to turn up 9s or anything beyond 'ls. Consequently, the operator would have to leave his key in'the lock for a sufficient length of time to weave 223,000 picks which would, of course, subiect him to a wholly unreasonable risk, as a supervisor might come at any time .during this long period and to avoid detection the operator might have to return the counter to zero and wipe out all record of his work up to that time. Obviously, if desired, instead of using only four teeth, the number of teeth may be increased and even extended clear around the members 43, but, in practice, it is found that this is unnecessary, four teeth in the relationship illustrated providing an adequate margin of safety.

Attention is also directed to the fact that my improved mechanism is also proof against a fraudulent advance of the count by tapping on the members I, i. e. by striking either of these members I a sharp blow with any suitable object when the same is locked in a reset position in such manner as to advance one or more of the wheels, for example, the wheel I! to show 1 while wheel ii shows 1. This, in my construction, is effectively prevented by my new angular relation of the slot I! and flat portion 30, which is such as, in the locked position of the counter units, illustrated in Figures 6 and 14, to cause the pawls It to be disposed with their extremities out of contact with either wall of the slot is. Thus, it will be evident that it is impossible to transmit blows on the members 1 through the shafts 20 to the ends of the pawls l8 and, in turn, to any of the units I0, I I or I! in such manner that, the driving gearing for the latter being locked, the wheels are caused to rotate relative to the driving gears 2|. Attention further is directed to the fact that, although a complete revolution of the resetting member I returns the parts i9 and 30 to the position shown in Figure 9, the final movements of these parts to the locked position illustrated in Figure 4, is effected by the key 9 and cam 39 when the counter is being locked, the cam 39 then engaging the adjacent end of the bar 32 and the surfaces 34 on the bar 32 moving to the right (Figure 9) and then forcing the flat portions 30 into the vertical positions shown in Figure 4, resulting in sufficient backward rotation of shafts 10 to move the slots l9 thereof away from the pawls l6 into the position shown in Figure 14 in which the pawls are wholly out of the slots. Here also it will be observed that the relation of the teeth 48 to the pawl 49 and the slot I9 is such as to permit this backward rotation of the reset shaft 20 into locked position. It also will be noted that, assuming that the springs for the pawls 22 are of equal strength, the number wheels 10, II, and I2, cannot be in any other than a zero position when the counter is locked. It will be evident also that a definite cooperation exists between the day and night counters and the locking mechanism, requiring that before the latter can be locked, the re;etting mechanism of each counter must be in reset position. Moreover, note that the no-reverse pawls and ratchets also cooperate with the locking mechanism and resetting mechanisms to prevent locking of the looking mechanisms with the counter wheels of either counter in any position other than the zero position thereof, since these pawls and ratchets prevent the counter wheels of either counter'from being advanced beyond zero in any of the previously described ways. The blow-proof structure also cooperates with the resetting mechanism and locking mechanism to prevent such advance following locking; all as distinguished from a counter mechanism without either the pawls and ratchets or the blow-proof feature, wherein the resetting mechanism could be struck a sufllciently severe blow when locked to advance the count.

It will further be evident that as a result of the present improvements I have provided a locked counter mechanism of the pick counter type including a plurality of counter units, each having its resetting mechanism, and a lock common to the resetting mechanisms of each of the units and cooperating therewith in an improved manner. Thus, in the day and night type pick counter shown, locking mechanism is'provided capable of locking the resetting mechanism of both units with a single lock, while permitting either unit to be reset without disturbing the count on the other unit, and while also requiring a definite relationship of the parts before locking. Also, by reason of the pawls and ratchets and the blowproof structure, it moreover requires a wholly new cooperation between the parts to produce a locked pick counter which cannot be fraudulently advanced without detection, even if the operator has a key.

It will also be noted that, by reason of the key actuated cam 39, the locking bar 32 is effectively moved positively into mechanism locking position by the key and is held positively in this mechanism locking position without the necessity for a direct connection between the locking bar and the key operated parts of the lock. Also this cam construction permits the location of the key axis in a plane perpendicular to the line of movement of the bar while, with a simple and inexpensive mechanism, permitting insertion of the key through the front of the casing, a construction which has proved highly desirable in pick counters.

Although the cooperating locking surfaces 30 and 34 are herein shown as flat, and, as illustrated in Figure 9, are angularly related in the position of the parts following a resetting operation and prior to locking, it will be understood that I am not limited to such structure and contemplate the provision of any suitable cooperating locking surfaces which will prevent rotation of the locking members 26 when locked in engagement and also effect the desired slight reverse rotation of these locking members as a result of bringing these surfaces into engagement.

Attention is further directed to the fact that my improved construction is of a character adaptr ed to be applied to standard types of counters with only slight modification of the same, the structure being such that it is readily adapted to be disposed in the casing at the opposite end thereof from the clutch mechanism for selectively connecting the day or night shift counters, while still being readily operable by the reset members. It will further be evident that the structure is simple and inexpensive and of a rugged character so that it is adapted to use over long periods without wear. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of lustration, and that the structure may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

'What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

till

i. in combination, a pick counter having operatively connected number wheels, rotatable resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting shaft rotatable to resetsaid wheels to zero and having an operating member and a locking portion rotatable with said resetting shaft, and controlling mechanism for said resetting mechanism including a lock having a key, cooperating looking mechanism having a longitudinally reciprocable member disposed transversely of the axis of said resetting mechanism and also having locking means actuated by said reciprocable member, and means controlled by said key for moving said reciprocable member bodily transversely of said axis to dispose said locking means in locking engagement with said locking portion in the reset pcsition of said number wheels and for obstructreverse movement of said reciprocable memher in locked position.

2. combination, a pick counter having operatively connected number wheels, rotatable resetmechanism therefor including a resetting shaft having a locking portion and an operating member for rotating said shaft in one direction to reset said wheels to zero position, a lock having a key, and locking mechanism cooperating with said locking portion to inhibit removal of said key after unlocking and an initial operation of said resetting member until resetting of said number wheels to zero position has been completed, said locking mechanism including-a longitudinally slidable bar reciprocable transversely actuating the latter upon a locking movement of c said key into locking position and means for re- *versely actuating said reciprocable locking member into unlocking position upon a resetting operation of said mechanism.

8. in combination, a pick counter including a counter enclosing casing having a removable cover, operatively connected counter wheels in said casing accessible when said cover is removed, resetting rnechanism for said wheels including a resetting member located externally of said casing, a lock within said casing, a key for said lock insertable through said cover and having means for preventing removal of the cover or key while said key is in unlocked position in said lock, look-- ing means controlled by said key for locking said resetting mechanism in the locked position of said key and permitting movement of said key of the axis of said resetting mechanism and alsotg; unlocked position following initiation of a reincluding means actuated by said key for longitudinally sliding said bar transversely of said axis.

3., in combination, a pick counter having operatively connected number wheels, rotatable resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting shaft having a locking portion and an operating member for rotating said shaft in one direction to reset said wheels to zero, a lock having a key, and cooperating locking mechanism cooperating with said locking portion including a locking bar longitudinally slidable transversely of the axis of said resetting shaft and means controlled by said key for sliding said bar longitudinally transversely cf said axis.

4. In a counter having operatively connected counter wheels, resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting shaft and an operating member for the latter and a locking portion carried by and rotatable with said resetting shaft, a lock having a key, and a longitudinally reciprocable iccking bar cooperating with said key having an aperture receiving said iocking portion, said aperture and locking portion having locking surfaces cooperating to lock said resetting mechanism in the reset position of said shaft and said locking portion being rotatable in the unlocked position of said key to disengage said locking sur- L'faces.

In combination, a pick counter having an enclosing casing open at the front and having a removable cover forming a front closure, operatively connected number wheels, rotatable resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting shaft for resetting said wheels to zero position and having a locking portion and an operating member for rotating said shaft, a lock having a key insertable through said cover, and cooperating locking means controlled by said key and locking portion for locking said resetting shaft against movement in locked position of said key.

6. In a counter having operatively connected counter wheels, resetting mechanism therefor instting movement of said mechanism only after said counter wlie'els have been completely reset to zero.

9. In a counter having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism having an operative connection with said wheels including a resetting member, and reset locking mechanism including a key and having means operative to disconnect said operative connection whenever said resetting mechanism is locked for inhibiting advancement of said counter wheels by a blow on said resetting member while said resetting mechanism is locked.

iii. In a counter, a counter wheel rotatable during resetting, resetting mechanism including a resetting member and an operative connection between said member and wheel including cooperating rotatable elements engageable during resetting, and locking mechanism for said resetting mechanism including a lock and key and having means for locking said resetting mechanism and effecting reverse rotation of one of said elements to disengage said cooperating elements.

il. in a counter, operatively connected counter wheels, resetting mechanism for said wheels including reset pawls on said wheels and a resetting shaft having portions engageable with said pawls, and rotatable in a resetting direction to eflect resetting of said wheels, and locking mechanism for said resetting mechanism including a lock and key and having means operative following resetting for effecting reverse rotation of said shaft to disengage said pawls from said pawl engaging portions and for locking said resetting mechanism.

12. In a counter having operatively connected counter wheels and rotatable resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting member having a rotatable element operable thereby, a lock for said resetting mechanism having a key, and means operative by said key while said mechanism is being locked for rotating said element reversely and inhibiting advancement of said counter wheels by a blow on said resetting member.

13. In a counter having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting shaft on which said wheels are separately rotatable, said shaft and said counter wheels having cooperating means engageable when said shaft is rotated to reset said counter wheels to zero position, means for locking said resetting mechanism including a lock-having a key, and mechanism for inhibiting advancement of the counter wheels by a blow on said resetting mechanism when the latter is locked including means operative by the locking movement of said key to disengage said cooperating means.

14. In a counter having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a reset shaft having a slot, a resetting member and pawls on said wheels engageable with said slot when said resetting member is operated, and reset locking mechanism including a key and having means operative by said key when said resetting mechanism is being locked for withdrawing said slot from said pawls.

15. In a counter having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting member, and reset locking mechanism including a key and also including means operative by said resetting member while said locking mechanism is unlocked for inhibiting locking and withdrawal of said key until resetting has been completed, and also having means operative by said key while said mechanism is being locked for inhibiting advancement of said counter wheels by a blow on said resetting member.

16. A counter having operatively connected counter wheels, resetting mechanism therefor in cluding an operating member for the latter, and locking mechanism for said resetting mechanism including a cam element rotatable with said operating member during resetting having a locking abutment surface thereon, a cooperating locking member movable in a direction to engage the abutment surface on said cam element and in locking engagement with said surface in the reset position of said mechanism and movable out of said locking engagement by said cam element, and key controlled means for moving said locking member into locking engagement with said abutment surface.

17. In combination, a counter mechanism comprising a plurality of counters, each having operatively connected counter wheels and rotatable resetting mechanism therefor including an operating member for the latter, a locking member for each counter rotatable with the operating member for the latter, a lock having a key, cooperating locking means common to all of said counter mechanisms and having a longitudinally slidable bar reciprocable across the axes of said resetting mechanisms and cooperating with said rotatable locking members for inhibiting locking of any resetting mechanism when any resetting,

member is out of reset position, and means operable by said key for sliding said bar transversely of said axes into locked position locking all of said locking members and for obstructing reverse movement of said bar in locked position.

18. In combination, a pick counter including a shallow enclosing casing open at the front and having a front cover, number wheels within said casing accessible when said cover is removed, resetting mechanism forsaid wheels including a resetting member having an operating portion located externally of said casing and a locking portion located within said casing, a lock having a key insertable through said cover and when in unlocked position in said lock, preventing removal of said cover, and cooperating locking means controlled by said key including a locking member movable into and out of locking relation with said locking portion, said lock having provi-- sion for preventing removal of said key in any po sltion except the mechanism locked position of the latter.

19. In combination, a counter having opera-- tively connected counter wheels, resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting shaft and an operating member for the latter and a locking portion carried by and rotatable with said shaft, a cooperating longitudinally slidable looking a locking portion andan operating member I for said shaft, a lock having a key the longitudinal axis of which is disposed in a plane perpendicular to said resetting shaft, a longitudinally reciprocable locking member cooperating with said locking portion and movable transversely of the axis of said resetting shaft, and actuating means for said cooperating member controlled by said key and transmitting a rotary movement of the latter into a longitudinal movement of said locking member in a plane perpendicular to said resetting shaft.

21. In combination, a counter having operatively connected counter wheels, resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting shaft having a locking portion and an operating member for said shaft, a locking member having a cooperating locking portion and longitudinally reciprocable transversely of the axis of said resetting shaft into locking engagement with said first mentioned locking portion, and a lock having a key operated means rotatable on an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said reciprocable locking member and disposed out of the path of the latter in unlocked position and movable into the path of movement of said member to actuate the latter to bring said cooperating locking portions into locking relation.

22. In combination, a pick counter mechanism having a plurality of counters each comprising a plurality of operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor having a rotatable resetting member coaxial with said wheels, locking mechanism including a key, and cooperating controlling mechanism for locking all said resetting mechanisms and for releasing all said mechanisms for individual resetting movement of any selected mechanism including a locking portion rotatable with the resetting member of each resetting mechanism and cooperating locking means controlled by said key for releasing said resetting mechanisms for selective operation and for inhibiting locking of any resetting mechanism and withdrawal of said key after the initiation of a resetting operation of any selected resetting mechanism until said bodily" selected resetting mechanism is moved to complete the resetting of the selected counter to zero position.

23. The combination with a pick counter mechanism comprising a plurality of counters each having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a resetting member, of a cooperating controlling mechanism for looking all of said resetting mechanisms and for releasing all of said mechanisms for individual resetting movement of any selected mechanism including a lock having a key and means operative when said locking mechanism is unlocked and any resetting member has been operated to initiate resetting for inhibiting looking of any resetting mechanism until the resetrnovement of the selected resetting member has been completed and withdrawal of said key until said key has been returned to locked position.

The combination with a pick counter mechanism comprising a. plurality of counters each having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a rotatable reset operating member having an operative connection with said wheels, oi. a locking mechanism common to all of said resetting mechanisms and having a key and means operated by said lrey, after a resetting movement of any selected reset operating member and during looking oi said locking mechanism, for reversely rotating an element of the selected resetting mechanism to disconnect said operative connection and inhibit advancement of its counter wheels by a blow on said operating member.

25. In a pick counter, a shaft having a longitudinal groove, a plurality of operatively connected counter wheels separately rotatable on said shaft, each having a reset pawl engageable with the groove in said shaft for advancing its respec tive wheel to a common zero position upon 360 rotation of said shaft in a forward direction, and locking mechanism including a key, a rotatable locking portion on said shaft, a reciprocable locking member controlled by said key, and a cooperating locking portion operative upon move-'- ment of said member and disposed out or register with said first mentioned portion in the position of said shaft following resetting of said counter wheels to zero position and movable into register with said first mentioned portion in the reset position of said wheels for reversely rotating said shaft during the final locking engagement of said locking members.

26. In a pick counter, a shaft having a longi tudinal groove, a plurality of operatively connected counter wheels rotatable on said shaft, each having a reset member engageable with said groove for advancing its wheel to a zero position upon a 360 rotation of said shaft, and locking mechanism having a key and including a rotatable locking member fixed to said shaft having a hat peripheral locking face, a reciprocable looking member controlled by said key and having a flat face movable into parallel locking engagement with the flat face of said first member in the zero position of said counter wheels, said cooperating flat locking faces being angularly related following resetting of said counter wheels, and means urging said locking members into final locking engagement for eifecting reverse rota.- tion of said shaft and displacement of said groove relative to said reset members.

2'7. In a pick counter, a shaft having a longitudinal groove, a plurality of operatively connected counter wheels rotatable on said shaft, each having a reset pawl engageable with the groove in said shaft for advancing its respective wheel to a common zero position upon a 360 rotation of said shaft in a forward direction, a locking member fixed to said shaft having a flat peripheral locking face, a reciprocable locking member having a cooperating flat locking face angularly disposed with respect to said first locking face following resetting of said counter wheels to zero, a lock having a key, and means controlled by said key'for moving the flat face of said reciprocating locking member into parallel locking engagement with the flat face of said first mentioned locking member, the angularity of said cooperating faces being such as to effect a backward movement of said shaft, whereby to move the groove therein away from said reset pawls in the final locking movement of said reciprocable locking member.

28. in a pick counter, a shallow casing open at the front and having a cover forming a closure for its open front provided with a reading window, counter mechanism in said casing includ ing a shaft journaled in said casing longitudinally thereof and having an operating member external of said casing, a plurality of opera-- tively connected counter wheels loosely mounted on said shaft having peripheral markings reaclable from the front of said casing through said window, said shaft and counter wheels having means cooperating upon rotation of said shaft by said operating member for resetting said wheels to Zero, a locking member within said casing rotatable with said shaft, a lock in said casing the longitudinal axis of which is disposed in a plane perpendicular to said shaft and having'a key insertable through said front cover and rotatable on said axis, said key having means operative to prevent access to said counter wheels by removal of said cover prior to removal of said key, and a second locking member in said casing controlled by said key and bodily movable in a path. perpendicular to said key axis into and out of locking engagement with said rotatable locking member.

29. The combination with a pick counter mechanism comprising a plurality of counters each having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a rotatable resetting member, coaxial with said wheels, of a common locking mechanism for said resetting mechanisms, said locking mechanism having means for releasing all said resetting mechanisms for joint or for individual resetting movement of any selected mechanism and including locking elements rotatable with said resetting members during resetting, cooperating locking means for said elements including a key, and means operable by said key for actuating said c0- operating locking means into element locking position and releasing said locking means for reverse actuation by any rotatable element.

30. The combination with a pick counter mechanism comprising a plurality of counters each having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a rotatable resetting member, of a single locking mechanism for all said counters having means for releasing all said resetting mechanisms for joint or for individual resetting movement of any selected mechanism and also having a key and means operative after said locking mechanism is unlocked and any resetting member has been operated to initiate resetting for inhibiting locking and withdrawal of said key until resetting is completed, said locking mechanism having locklng elements rotatable with said resetting members during resetting and having locking sur-v faces thereon, and a cooperating locking bar having locking apertures having cooperating locking surfaces engageable with said first mentioned locking surfaces in the locked position of said key and in which apertures said locking elements are freely rotatable in the unlocked position of said key.

31. The combination with a pick counter mechanism comprising a plurality of counters each having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a rotatable resetting member, of a locking mechanism for said counters having means for releasing all said resetting mechanisms for joint or for individual resetting movement of any selected mechanism and also having a key and means operative after said locking mechanism is unlocked and any resetting member has been operated to initiate resetting for inhibiting withdrawal of said key until resetting is completed, said locking mechanism also having locking elements rotatable with said resetting members during resetting, and a cooperating locking bar movable out of locking position by rotation of/ any locking element in one direction whenever the key is in unlocked position and means for rendering said resetting members inoperative to effeet the rotation of said rotatable elements in the opposite direction.

32. The combination with a pick counter mechanism comprising apluralityof counters each having operatively connected counter wheels and resetting mechanism therefor including a rotatable resetting member, of a locking mechanism for said counters having means for releasing all said resetting mechanisms for joint or for individual resetting movement of any selected mechanism and also having a key and means operative after said locking mechanism is unlocked and any resetting member has been operated to initiate resetting for inhibiting withdrawal of said key, said locking mechanism having locking elements rotatakie with said resetting members during resetting and having fiat surfaces thereon, a 00- operating locking bar having cooperating fiat 8111'- faces engageable with said first mentioned flat surfaces in the locked position of said key and having adjacent turning apertures of which said first mentioned surface forms an end wall and in which said locking elements are freely rotatable in the unlocked position of said key, and means operated by said key for actuating said locking bar to locksaid rotatable locking elements in locked position with said flat surfaces on said rotatable elements and on said apertures in engagement with one another.

HARVEY L. SPAUNBURG. 

